SPECTACULAR START AND THE GAMES BEGIN... Spectators attend the opening ceremony of the Arab Games at the Khalifa Stadium yesterday. More than 5,000 Arab athletes are participating in the Arab Games from December 9 to 23. (AFP
By Suman Malla/Doha
 
Qatar’s football team will be aiming to emulate the feat they achieved as hosts of the Asian Games when they open their campaign at the 12th Arab Games against Bahrain at the Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today. The match starts at 5.30pm.
Qatar won the football gold at the Asian Games in 2006, with a 1-0 victory over Iraq in the competition’s final. Iraq, the 1985 Arab Games champions, are the other team in Group A and will take on the hosts on December 16.
With expectant home crowd cheering them to the hilt, Qatar will be eager to prove their credentials as the hosts of the 2022 World Cup.
“Our fans are pinning high hopes on us to win the gold medal. It will not be easy to achieve with strong challenge coming in from other teams also aiming for the Arab title,” said Ali Hussein.
“But nothing comes close to winning a title at home. We will put in every effort to achieve that and bring joy to our fans,” added Hussein, who believes the competition also serves as a good preparation for the team’s next crucial assignment. Qatar travel to Iran on February 29 for their final group game in the Asian zone qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Despite the squad missing several key members due to club commitment with Al Sadd, who are competing at the Club World Cup in Japan, Qatar team morale remains high.

GEARING UP: Qatar football team players participate in a training session at the Aspire zone on the eve of their opening Group A match against Bahrain in the 12th Arab Games. The match taking place at the Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, starts at 5.30pm

“We are without several players. But the team remains upbeat and we are confident of achieving what is expected of us,” said striker Sebastian Soria, who played a crucial role in Qatar’s victory at the Asian Games 2006.
While Soria and his colleague contemplate a strategy with their coach Sebastian Soria to get the better of Bahrain and Iraq, Qatar SC striker called on the fans to pack the galleries of the stadium in Al Sadd.
“The opening matches are always crucial. We need all the support from the home crowd to go an extra mile as we push for a win,” said Soria. “A good result against Bahrain will be a key to ascend the podium in this competition.”
Meshaal Mubarak agrees with Soria as he said Qatar would be making a balanced approach of attack and defence in the opening match although they intend to go for an all-out attack Qatar. “Because it will determine the position of the team in terms of qualification to the next round,” said Mubarak.
With defending champions Egypt, who also won in 1953, 1965 and 1992, not competing in football at these Games, the competition is expected to be wide open.
Iraq will be without a number big names in the likes of Younis Mahmoud, Nashat Akram but are still expected to remain highly competitive under Brazilian coach Zico.
Bahrain, led by English coach Peter Taylor, look as much strong making Group A really tough. Saudi Arabia, runners-up in 1992, Kuwait – the bronze medallist the same year – and Oman will be fighting for a place in the semi-finals from Group B.
Egypt’s decision has left Libya at 63 in the FIFA rankings, as the top ranked team in the competition.
The Libyans, under former Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan coach Marcos Paqueta, will be looking to go one better than finishing runners-up to the hosts Egypt in 2007. But they will have to first tackle with Group C opponents Jordan, who under Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad will be keen to add another title to the earlier triumphs in 1997 and 1999.
Sudan, competing under Olympic team coach Mohammed Abdallah, are the dark horse in the group, considering their good results in the African zone qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London. Palestine complete the group.